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Last update 21/07/2025

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2025 Grants and Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in East Renfrewshire, UK

Introduction

For entrepreneurs and small business owners in East Renfrewshire, a variety of 2025 grants, government-backed loans, and expert support options are available. This guide gives a clear overview of funding opportunities and practical advice to help you succeed.

Available Grants

🔹 New Business Start‑Up Grant

Purpose: Helps cover early-stage costs for new or pre-start businesses.
Amount: Up to £1,000 (must achieve minimum £10,000 turnover in first year) (East Renfrewshire Council)
Eligibility: Businesses trading under 12 months, located in East Renfrewshire.
Apply via:
East Renfrewshire Council – Business Development Grants page
🔗 Business Grant Types 2025–26

🔹 Micro‑Business Grant

Purpose: Supports equipment, training, online tools or idea testing.
Amount: Up to £500 (varies by category) (East Renfrewshire Council, startupgrant.co.uk, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot)
Eligibility: Businesses trading over 3 months, turnover £10k–£100k, at least 16 hours/week.
Apply via:
East Renfrewshire Council Micro Grants Fund

🔹 Business Growth Grant

Purpose: Helps established SMEs invest in equipment, expansion or exhibitions.
Amount: 50% match-funding, £1,000–£10,000 (East Renfrewshire Council, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, Wikipedia)
Eligibility: Businesses with turnover > £10k, trading from premises in East Renfrewshire.
Apply via:
Find Business Support – East Renfrewshire Growth Fund

🔹 Special Growth Grant

Purpose: Enables larger growth projects requiring improved productivity or job creation.
Amount: 50% match-funding, up to £50,000 (East Renfrewshire Council, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, East Renfrewshire Council, startupgrant.co.uk)
Eligibility: Established SMEs in East Renfrewshire with strong expansion plans.
Apply via:
East Renfrewshire Council – Business Grant Types page
🔗 Business Grant Types 2025–26

🔹 Get to Zero Grant (Net‑Zero Grant)

Purpose: Supports energy-efficiency upgrades like low-carbon heating, insulation or solar.
Amount: Up to £5,000 (50% funding) (East Renfrewshire Council, East Renfrewshire Council)
Eligibility: Businesses on commercial premises with an energy audit and landlord approval.
Apply via:
Business Grant Types 2025–26 – Energy Efficiency

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (UK‑Wide)

Purpose: Helps with startup costs and includes 12 months of mentoring.
Amount: £500–£25,000 | 6% fixed interest | repayable over 1–5 years (East Renfrewshire Council, Wikipedia)
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 3 years.
Apply via:
https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Recovery Loan Scheme

Purpose: Supports post-pandemic recovery, growth, and capital investment.
Amount: £25,001–£2 million
Eligibility: UK businesses of any size.
Apply via:
Accredited lenders—search via GOV.UK “Recovery Loan Scheme provider”.

🔹 Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG)

Purpose: The UK government guarantees loans when banks require insufficient business collateral.
Amount: £1,000–£1 million (East Renfrewshire Council, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Eligibility: Viable SMEs unable to secure standard business loans.
Apply via:
Participating banks (e.g. NatWest, Barclays) under the EFG scheme.

Key Resources

**Business Gateway East Renfrewshire**
Free advisory services, workshops, and support with applications.
🔗 Local Support – Business Gateway ER (Wikipedia, Business Gateway | Business Gateway, startupgrant.co.uk)
**East Renfrewshire Council – Business Support**
Central hub for funding, loan info and support.
🔗 Business Support (East Renfrewshire Council)
**Find Business Support Scotland**
Searchable national portal for funding and support.
🔗 https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot

Eligibility Guidance

Ensure you meet grant-specific conditions: turnover, trading history, match funding, energy audits, etc.
Preparing robust documentation (business plan, forecasts, bank statements) is essential (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot, startupgrant.co.uk)
Speak with a Business Gateway Adviser to identify suitable schemes.

Application Process

Book a Consultation via Business Gateway East Renfrewshire.
Check Eligibility against specific criteria.
Prepare Documentation: business plan, financial forecast, quotes, ID, evidence of trading.
Submit Application online or via email (e.g. business@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk) (East Renfrewshire Council, startupgrant.co.uk)
Await Decision: 14–30 days for most grants; loans vary.
For Grants: Spend funds, submit evidence, and claim reimbursement.
For Loans: Review offer terms, accept, and start repayments.

Additional Tips

Make use of free mentoring, workshops, and digital tools via Business Gateway and Start‑Up Loans.
Join local networking groups, such as https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking, to build connections.
Emphasise digital innovation, productivity, or net-zero benefits in applications to improve chances.

Contact & Further Information

Business Gateway East Renfrewshire
🔗 Local Support
📞 0141 577 3001 | ✉️ business@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk
East Renfrewshire Council – Business Grants
🔗 Business Grant Types 2025–26
Start‑Up Loans UK
🔗 https://www.startuploans.co.uk
Recovery Loan Scheme Providers
Search via GOV.UK for accredited lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 Who can apply for the New Business Start‑Up Grant?
New or pre‑start businesses operating in East Renfrewshire that expect ≥£10,000 in year one.

🔹 What does the Micro‑Business Grant cover?
Funding of up to £500 for equipment, training, e-commerce development, or idea testing.

🔹 How much can I get from the Business Growth Grant?
50% match funding, between £1,000 and £10,000.

🔹 What is the maximum Special Growth Grant?
Up to £50,000 match-funded by the council.

🔹 Can I use the Get to Zero Grant?
Yes, if installing approved energy-efficiency measures and based on premises with an energy audit.

🔹 Are loans available locally?
Yes—Start‑Up Loans, Recovery Loans, and EFG are all options depending on needs.

🔹 What documents are needed for applications?
Business plan, forecasts, quotes, bank statements, trading evidence, ID and, where needed, match‑fund documentation.

🔹 How long does approval take?
Grants usually decide within 14–30 days; loans vary depending on the provider.

🔹 Can I apply for multiple funds?
Yes—as long as you meet eligibility and can demonstrate need and proper use for each award.

Value AD

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What is Value Ad?

Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.

How is it a Win-Win Deal?

For New Businesses:

Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.

Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.

For Service Providers:

Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.

Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.

Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.

Alternative Investment for New Businesses:

For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.

Benefits for Service Providers:

Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:

Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.

Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.

Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.

In Summary:

Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.

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